Saturday, November 12, 2016

Anthony Aloysius Fromknecht was born January 23, 1915 the son of Joseph J. Fromknecht and Mary Loesch. On October 16, 1940 Anthony completed his WWII Draft Registration Card. The draft card indicates that Anthony was living with his parents at 3215 Old French Road in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He was employed at the Pennsylvania Telephone Company. This draft card was handwritten and includes Anthony's signature.

Anthony Aloysius Fromknecht WWII Draft Card - Front

The second page of the draft card includes a physical description of Anthony. He was 5'-8" and 154 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion.

Anthony Aloysius Fromknecht WWII Draft Card - Back

Anthony enlisted in the United States Army on February 21, 1941 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. His civil occupation is recorded as "Semiskilled linemen and servicemen, telegraph, telephone, and power." Anthony's Army service was a combination of domestic and foreign service:

Domestic Service - December 7, 1941 through December 16, 1941

Foreign Service - December 17, 1941 through November 12, 1942

Domestic Service - November 14, 1942 through December 22, 1945

Anthony served as a 1st Lieutenant and was discharged on December 22, 1945 at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma.

Anthony Aloysius Fromknecht

He passed away May 30, 2002. He is buried at White City Cemetery in Fort Pierce, Florida.

The original copy of the this portrait is in the care of Janet Fromknecht the daughter of Frances W. McDonald and Anthony A. Fromknecht. From the Frances Winifred McDonald Collection. The photograph is shared with permission. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

"Each year on or around 10 November, Marines gather in groups large and small to celebrate our history, honor the memory of those who have gone before us, and rekindle the bond that unites all generations of Marines. This year, we mark the 241st anniversary of our Corps—241 years of uncommon valor, innovation, and combat excellence."
As we honor the memory of Marines we also honor the memory of two family members.

Robert Aloysius Haggerty was born July 24, 1927 the son of Charles Alfonso Hagerty and Iva. He served as a staff sergeant (SSgt) in the US Marine Corps in WWI. Robert died on March 10, 1979 and is buried at the Houston National Cemetery.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. was born 02 Oct 1919 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, and Gertrude Anna O'Neill.After the outbreak of WWII Ambrose volunteered for military service and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He was killed by enemy fire in Tarawa in November of 1943, at age 24, upon landing on the beach. He earned a Purple Heart for his service. In addition to being remembered at the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii he also has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery thanks to his sister Virginia McDonald Geary. Ambrose is featured in the blog post A Letter from Tarawa. His commanding officer Capt. Martin F. Barrett, U.S.M.C. of F. Company, 2nd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment wrote a heartfelt letter to Caroline Loretta O'Neil - Ambrose's aunt.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr.

The gravemarker for Ambrose in Arlington National Cemetery

Copies of these photographs were shared with me by Virginia McDonald the sister of Ambrose McDonald. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Robert Aloysius Hagerty is my 2nd cousin, 3x removed. His father Charles Alfonso Hagerty is my 1st cousin 4x removed. Ambrose Aloysius McDonald Jr. and Virginia Dorothy McDonald are my1st cousins 3x removed. They are the children of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald my 2nd great uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill my second great aunt. A double marriage took place between the McDonald and O'Neill families. Caroline Loretta O'Neill is my 2nd great aunt.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

James Arthur and Barbara Jean, the children of Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald, photographed playing in the snow. The photograph is estimated to have been taken in late 1944 or early 1945 based on the ages of the children. When photographed James Arthur would have been around 2 years old. Barbara Jean would have been a little over one year old. The photograph was likely taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

1944 - Murosky SiblingsJames Arthur Murosky & Barbara Jean Murosky

James Arthur Murosky and Barbara Jean are the children of Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald. A copy of this photograph was included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.James Arthur Murosky is my uncle and Barbara Jean Murosky is my aunt.